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title: Hi Boater — New boats, marine industry news, nautical products, and boating laughs. 
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What every new owner should know before leaving the trailer. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| Can't See Our Images? Click Here   Hello Boater Solaris Power 40 Open OB  Space Above, Berths Below  LOOK BELOW Four steps down from the helm, the Solaris 40 Open OB sleeps four across two berths, a layout built as much for weekending as for serving as a yacht tender. Twin 450-hp Mercury Verados pushed her to 38.2 knots in testing, and joystick docking with a bow thruster makes handling at the dock as easy as running her offshore. WATCH HER RUN MORE INFO CL Yachts CLB65 SUV Sea Trials Complete, HK Previews Begin HONG KONG BOUND CL Yachts' all-new CLB65 SUV has completed sea trials and arrived in Hong Kong, where she'll greet clients ahead of her Asian premiere at the Hong Kong Boat Show in December. Twin Caterpillar C18 or Volvo Penta D13 power gets her to 28 knots, and her Supertomato Studio interior comes in walnut or white oak. Make an appointment with a CL Yachts representative to explore more.   MAKE AN APPOINTMENT MORE INFO ⚓ US Coast Guard Captain's License Practice Questions  BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND: A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Not covered under any category B. A sail vessel C. A "special circumstance" vessel D. A power-driven vessel Brokerage Spotlight 2025 Valhalla V-28 Bay IN STOCK NOW Located in Charleston, SC, this 2025 Valhalla V-28 Bay comes with twin Mercury 300-hp outboards, Optimus steering, and a Garmin helm with dual 19-inch displays. A fiberglass hardtop, upgraded seating, and extensive rod storage reflect a build aimed squarely at serious inshore and nearshore fishing. FULL LISTING & PRICE New Boater Guide Launching Without Surprises NO BRAKES New boat owners face a learning curve once the dock lines come off. Born Again Boating's beginner guide covers required safety gear, the 1/3 fuel rule, why boats have no brakes at all, and why a missing transom drain plug is the single most common cause of swampings at the ramp, among other essentials. WATCH THE GUIDE Boneheaded Boaters of the Week Boats Versus Rocks WRONG WAY This week's countdown is built entirely around boats meeting land they had no business meeting. A missed channel at Black Point Marina, a river full of hidden rocks, and a beach tractor launch straight into breaking surf all make the cut. Nobody here planned to run aground. SEE WHAT HAPPENED Brand-New Outboard Before Turning The Key FIRST START A factory-fresh outboard still needs attention before its first start. This video explains what belongs on the pre-delivery checklist, including oil, gear lube, grease points and cooling-water checks. It also shows why closing the fuel valve before transport can save a messy surprise later. WATCH THE SETUP ⚓ US Coast Guard Captain's License Practice Question - Answer  D. A power-driven vessel Under COLREG Rule 3(c), any vessel being propelled by machinery, even if sails are also set, is legally considered a power-driven vessel and must follow the rules for power-driven vessels, not sailing vessels. Questions? Drop us a line: editorial@boattest.com   © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Newsletter content may include sponsorships. BoatTEST strives for accuracy in all published material.  By submitting a photo or reel you grant BoatTEST permission to use it in our newsletter and on our social media.  Photos@boattest.com BoatTEST.com, LLC, 8A Halidon Ave,  Newport, RI 02840  If you wish to change your newsletter preferences or unsubscribe  Manage Preferences Here |
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